Jenna waved toward the large table. “Would you three like some coffee and donuts?”
Abyle shook his head, as did Atika, neither male letting her go.
“Mother?” The one word had Belle turning to face her.
“Your father is aware of your existence, Lula.”
She felt as though the floor had been demolished beneath her feet. Had her mates not held her onto her, Lula was sure she’d have fallen into a heap. “What does that mean?”
Belle’s unblinking stare met hers. “It means he will be hunting for you and me. You, he will want to take back to his people with hope you will make a proper match, and maybe produce a dragon heir that isn’t...damaged. Me, he will more than likely want vengeance for keeping his child from him, and his royal family.” She turned back toward the window.
“But he told you to get rid of me. How can you know he’s aware of me, Jenna? Besides, he said he didn’t want you to have me,” Lula protested.
“Although your memories don’t show you his approach, I was able to witness it. Through your conscience, it allowed me to be there for long seconds after you left.” Jenna lifted her shoulders in a negligent shrug as if what she did was no big deal, when in fact, it was life-altering.
Her mother’s head dropped. “Your father would’ve sensed you easily if you were that close to him. He may not have wanted you back then, but I didn’t listen, I loved you from the very moment I knew you were within me. By me continuing with my pregnancy, I had an heir to two thrones, which I denied them. I didn’t believe either would’ve recognized you as anything other than the same as what they did me. However, from what Jenna heard, that doesn’t appear to be the case. I...I could be tried and killed for what I did. It’s one of the reasons why I never returned to the Mist and why I insisted you stay away. I was selfish. Because of me, your heritage was taken from you, and now that you’ve found your mates, all three of your lives are at stake.”
“What do you mean our lives are at stake?” Abyle growled.
“Lula’s father will kill the two of you if you stand in his way, when he tries to take Lula home with him. If Lula doesn’t agree to go with him, he’ll kill her as well. It’s the dragon way,” Jenna said, her voice cracking on the last words.
“Fuck that and fuck him. I am not his daughter. He was a sperm donor. If he truly cared for me, he wouldn’t have told my mother to get rid of me. Mama, look at me.” When her mother continued to stare at the floor, she let go of Abyle and Atika, crossing the short distance to Belle. “We will fight him. He might be some royal fucking dick dragon, but you and I are fierce dragon bitches. Besides, we have friends in low places.”
Jenna’s laugh had them all assessing her. “We really do have friends in low places, Belle. Lots of friends if it came to it. You were alone when you fled that fucking bastardass realm you called home. This time, you have family and friends who will have your back.”
Belle brushed at tears streaming down her cheeks, gems hitting the floor. “I love all of you for saying you’d stand up for me, but I can’t ask that of you. If you go up against a hoard of dragons, you’ll be decimated.”
Jenna snorted. “Belle, what do you think I am, a novice? I’ve battled many things, big and small, and lived to tell the tale. Besides, I have two Wolpire mates and my own hoard of beings who will be there. This time we will set the place and time, not be ambushed. Listen to me,” she snapped.
Lula had seen Jenna be many things, but this one was a little scary. She’d always thought she and her mother were the ones protecting the small Fey. “Mother, listen to her. I’m not going anywhere with him.” She wasn’t going to call the bastard her father. Belle had been mother and father.
“There’s something you all should know about us as well. We’re not just bear shifters, we’re—”
Belle cut them off with a dismissive wave. “Yes, we know you’re Lula’s mates. Jenna, where do you suggest we set this up? Fey is too precious to risk him and his fighters coming, and Earth is too fragile.”
“Why, the Mist, of course. There’s nothing there that can be destroyed. That’s why it’s the In-between. Besides, they’ll never expect us there, so when they step through, hopefully, we’ll have surprise on our side. Alright, that settles it. I’ll go rally the troops. Belle, you need to prepare yourself to see Nikai again. I know you think you’re, but are you truly?” Jenna was the wisest woman they knew for a reason.
“I don’t think I’ll ever actually be prepared, but I will do what I must. Lula, forgive me for...for what I did. I only did what I thought was best for you and I.” Belle turned away, then faced her again, tears pooling in her sparkling eyes.
“Mama, stop crying. My floor already has way too many gems. I don’t know what I’ll do with all of them.” She tried to make light of the situation, failing miserably.
“Those are my tears, my gems, Lula.” Belle pulled her into her arms, hugging her so tightly she could feel her mother’s fear pouring into her very being. Lula shoved the emotion out of her, trying to infuse some of her confidence back into Belle.
Her mother hummed, smiling down at her. “That was—unexpected, darling. I’ll leave you with your mates. I have a feeling the battle will be sooner rather than later.”
Lula kissed her mother’s cheek, hugged Jenna, then watched them disappear, leaving the three of them with a pile of gems and a sense of doom.
“Want some coffee and donuts?” She pointed toward the table where Jenna had left the offerings.
Abyle and Atika both growled. She turned to see frowns on their faces. “Everything is going to be okay,” she promised.
Atika stomped over to where she stood, bent, and tossed her over his shoulder. “Grab the coffee and donuts, brother. We’ll need them after.”
Abyle pulled her head up from where she hung over Atika’s shoulder; using her hair, he twisted her to face him. “You’re damn right everything will be okay, but first we need to make love to our mate.”
Before she could say a word, he silenced her with a kiss filled with promise. Just as quickly as he began, he pulled back. Atika slapped her on the rear, once, twice, and then a third time.
“What was that for?” she snarled.
“That’s so you don’t get any ideas about leaving us behind,” he snarled louder.
She hadn’t realized that was exactly what she’d been thinking.
“Our triad bond will kill us if anything happens to you, Lula Love. You leave us here unable to defend you, and you effectively slaughter us. We can protect you, Mi Amore.” Abyle pushed the door to her room open.
Once they were back inside her bedroom there was no more room to talk, only feel and explore. If tomorrow came, and with it a battle that took their lives, she wanted to fill up her memories with her mates loving her and her loving them.
By the time they got around to drinking the coffee, she had to reheat it with her dragon magic. Luckily, the donuts were kept sealed, so they were still soft and yummy.
They lay back on the bed, their breathing choppy, hearts in sync. “When do you think we’ll know?” Atika asked.
The moons had risen over an hour ago. It was almost alarming how much time they’d spent exploring her body and how easily they’d allowed her to explore theirs. While they were identical in every way, physically, they each had their own unique tastes. She’d noticed that when she’d bit them, but it became even more evident when she’d been able to finally love them with her mouth until competition. Good Goddess, their flavors were so yummy she would easily become addicted if they were given the chance at forever.
“We love you more than life itself, Lula Love. You’re the air that gave me life, my heart, my soul, my mate. Thank you for giving us a chance.” Abyle kissed his mating mark, sending a tingle of desire through her.
Lula’s hussy dragon trilled. “You both have made me whole, made me change the way I approach things and given me hope. You’ve given me the chance to trust in my instincts when before
never would have blindly trusted anything. You both help me rise above the desolation and fear that had held me down, helping me soar in more ways than just one. I can’t imagine life without either of you, not that I would want to. It’s scary to think that in such a short time you’ve both come to mean so much to me.” She let out a shaky breath, wondering if she’d said too much.
“Ah, Lula, without you our lives were very lonely existences. I can’t think of a better way to spend my life, our lives, than being with you. The secret behind every good male is a female, but for us, the secret is having our female beside us. What makes my existence perfect, is having you next to me, between my brother and me. I will proudly call you my mate, my partner. Trust in us to always be there for you. Without your love, trust, and loyalty we’re nothing.”
“You both are thieves. You stole my heart and soul. But guess what? I don’t care. I was always yours, just waiting for the two of you to find me.”
Several hours later, Lula woke knowing they weren’t alone. She shook both her mates’, waking them instantly. “It’s time,” she whispered.
They’d talked long into the night, making love several more times. Now, they got up, and she used her magic to cleanse and dress them like before. Only this time, she made sure they wore dressed in clothing that would shift with them.
“Come on. Jenna and my mother are in the other room.” She stopped in front of them, before walking out of her bedroom, a feeling like she was never coming back gripped her. “I love you.” She had to tell them before they left.
Her guys kissed her, and then they walked out.
Atika inhaled the scents around them. They’d flashed to the mystical realm called the In-Between outside of the Mist. It shocked him to find dozens of shifters waiting for them, men he’d only met only briefly, and some he’d never met except he’d seen in Lula’s memories. What was even more shocking was the Wolpires, as Jenna had called them, and the army of beings that came with them. The females seemed every bit as deadly as the males. However, their biggest surprise came in the form of the male named Creed.
“Hello my friends. I know, you are all excited I came. Don’t worry, I won’t shame your males with my greatness—yet. Now, who we killing, and do I get to eat them?”
Atika narrowed his eyes at the red-skinned, dark-haired, demon male, wondering if he was alright in the head, or if he was a little bit crazy? Shit, he was fucking huge.
“Psst, I’m totally crazy, but that comes from my father’s side.” The male winked and smiled, showing off a row of sharp teeth.
“What are you?” Abyle asked.
“Well, that’s rude. I’m Creed, boy.” Again, he flashed those huge sharp-ass teeth.
The smile didn’t give Atika the warm and fuzzy feeling that usually happened when someone tipped their lips up. No, this smile was one that would be given to you right before a serial killer began hacking your body up and burying you in the woods, or ate you for dessert, or put you in a vat of chili to serve to his guests.
“Well, that is rude. I don’t even like chili,” Creed said with a huff.
“How the fuck are you in my head?” Atika asked.
Creed flashed in front of him. “My father is Satan. I can do all kinds of things. But mostly, because you’re broadcasting and, in this place, I’m having a hard time controlling my other half.” Horns began to grow from his head.
Lula pushed between them. “Are you going to be okay to fight, Creed? Let me rephrase that. Are you going to be able to fight on our side, or will your demon switch to the other side?”
Jenna appeared with a small female; her worried frown turned to happiness the moment she saw Creed.
“I’m here. I’m here. Are you ready to fight the baddies, my sexy demon?”
“Reina, I told you to stay home and...fuck it. I need you.” Creed swept her into his arms, smoke shrouding them from everyone else.
“Whew, that was close. I didn’t realize he might need an anchor right away. He didn’t last time.” Jenna blew out a breath.
“Last time his anchor was a mission for one of his people. Not that he doesn’t care for me, but it’s not the same.” Lula shrugged.
Atika stared at the spot he had seen the crazy demon male, who was nothing like the male they’d seen back at the bar. He didn’t want anyone worming their way into his mind, especially the son of Satan. So, with care he shored up his mental walls. The only ones he would allow access to his thoughts were his brother and Lula.
“Creed is a good male,” Lula reassured him.
“Is his father really Satan?”
Lula nodded, but before she could say anymore, Creed returned with a growl. “They’re coming. A dozen dragons with a black one in the lead. Belle, move to the back. We don’t need you being a target from the get-go.”
Belle shook her head. “No, I want to talk to him first and foremost. I’ll stay in this form. The Nikai I knew from before, hopefully will shift as well. At least he used to not slay a female without speaking first.”
“We will stand with Belle, as she’s our family. Lula, what’s your position?” Abyle asked.
“I’ll stand with my mother and mates.”
Creed and the other males all growled.
“We came to protect you, Lula and Belle. If they slaughter you on sight, what was the reason for coming here?” Kellen, the alpha of the Iron Wolves asked.
The question was a good one, but his mate and her mother wanted to be out front and not hiding. Through his bond with Lula, he felt the impact of her mother’s determination. “Warriors, Belle has hidden for too long. She wishes to face this head-on and wants to know, should she fall, you’ll have her back?” Atika asked.
“Silly bear, of course we’ll have her back. Here they come,” Creed said from next to him.
Atika took in Creed, or tried as he let his gaze go up, and up, and holy fucking shit, the man was huge.
Creed winked down at him. “It’s alright. I know I’m intimidating. I wore pants this time. You know, so you fellas don’t get envious again. I hate the whining. Makes my demon ears bleed.”
This time, when he smiled, both rows of his teeth were sharp points that had Atika nodding in agreement. Yeah, he wanted to be besties with Creed. Bffs for life, for sure.
Creed patted his shoulder with a finger, nearly knocking him on his face. “I think we’ll get along really good, bestie.”
He’d have said something witty, but the world in front of him shifted as several dragons the size of buildings flew through, pulling up short as they saw them.
Belle whistled through her fingers, an ear-splitting sound. “Halt, Nikai.”
A huge gust of wind from their wings threatened to blow them over as the dragons flew above them. Whoever was magical must have created a shield around them, because just as suddenly as the wind started, it disappeared.
“What’s the meaning of this, Belle? Who are all these mongrels?” Nikai asked, shifting to a man in a blink.
Creed growled, taking a step toward the black-clad male. “Watch who you call names, dragon.”
Nikai glared at Creed. “Who are you, red man?”
“Oh, I’m your worst enemy. I’m also supposed to tell you hi from Nazim. Of course, I told that little fucker I wouldn’t give you the message, so I’m not telling you shit.”
Nikai went still, his face losing color as he began to shift into a smaller version of his dragon, making him almost the same size as Creed. He lifted clawed hands, wrapping them around Creed’s throat. “Where’s my brother?”
Creed smiled, his own clawed hands going around the dragon’s throat. “You think to threaten me, boy?”
“Ah sheot, he’s made Creed mad.”
“Hush, Xan, we don’t need to draw attention to us shifters without our demon,” Kellen muttered.
“You want to play with me, dark dragon? I promise you won’t like it any more than your pussy-ass bitch of a brother did. Here, why don’t I show you what I mean.”
Before they could stop him, Creed and Nikai disappeared, leaving them with his hoard of dragon warriors.
“Now, before you decide to get stupid, let me say Nikai won’t be happy if you hurt any of us, especially his young.” Jenna pointed out.
A roar of anger and flames flew over their heads as the dragons attacked.
“Well, shit, I guess we battle,” Kellen growled.
The wolves shifted, their sizes three times, four times that of their wolves on Earth. Lula stared in awe, like she hadn’t expected that.
Atika and Abyle nodded once at one another, then at Lula.
“Stay next to us, Lula Love.” Abyle nodded at his brother, then they lifted their arms, roaring to the sky above them.
“What the fuck is that?”
Jenna looked over to see what her mate Damien was talking about, words clearly failing her, but they didn’t have time to reassure the little Fey. They’d tried to explain to Jenna and Belle, but now the time for talking was over. Two dragons from the Dragon Realm were barreling straight toward Lula. She shifted, her shock wearing off at seeing him and his brother merge into one. Their fur made of iron, their size on Earth was four times larger than normal, but here, they were as big as a dragon. With one swipe of their claws they knocked the bastard coming for them down, his scales no match for them.
“Try not to kill if you can avoid it,” Belle yelled, shifting as a dragon came for her.
They fought the dragons, batting them back with their huge paws, protecting the wolves from the deadly fire. A huge boom shook the very ground they stood on, making them stumble and separate into two beings. Time moved differently in this Realm as they fought, the sound of the wolves' howls, dragons' roars, and the bears' snarls, filled the air as they battled relentlessly. Always staying close to Belle and Lula.
“Enough,” Nikai yelled, staring at the dragons lying on the ground bleeding. “What’s happened here?”
A Cursed All Hallows' Eve Page 129